Bobbitt gets probation, drug court in GoFundMe plea

Johnny Bobbitt Jr., right, appears in court alongside defense attorney John Keesler for a detention hearing Friday, Dec. 14, 2018 at Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly, N.J. Bobbitt will be released on level 3 monitoring and the next court date is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2019.(Photo: Joe Lamberti/Courier Post)

MOUNT HOLLY — Homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. will serve up to five years probation after pleading guilty Friday to conspiracy to commit theft by deception for his role in a crowdfunding scheme that netted more than $400,000.

Bobbitt was in state Superior Court to enter his second guilty plea in his second court appearance this week. He'll be entered into the state drug court program — his probation sentence contingent upon successful completion of the program — at his formal sentencing next month.

Friday's court appearance comes two days after Bobbitt admitted in federal court to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a now-notorious GoFundMe scheme. He faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence and fines in that case

Bobbitt, 36, went before before Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger in New Jersey Drug Court in Mount Holly.

New Jersey Drug Court is a diversionary program and alternative to prison for drug users who defendants usually charged with non-violent crimes.

In addition to money laundering — a charge brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey on Wednesday — Bobbitt faced state charges of conspiracy to commit theft and theft by deception.

The judge approved Bobbitt's application for the drug court program, adding that he has been recommended for long-term, in-patient treatment.

Bobbitt and two Florence residents, Mark D'Amico and Katelyn McClure, are accused of collecting more than $400,000 via a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign launched in November 2017. More than 14,000 donors were moved by the now-debunked story of a homeless veteran giving his last $20 to McClure after she ran out of gas in Philadelphia. McClure and D'Amico said they were collecting money so Bobbitt could turn his life around.

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said the trio actually knew one another and made up the story.

Coffina and the U.S. Attorney's Office said the couple squandered much of the money on vacations, gambling, a BMW, clothes and other personal items while Bobbitt received some of the money.

Assistant Burlington County Prosecutor Andrew McDonnell told the judge Bobbitt has agreed to cooperate and testify against co-defendants McClure and D'Amico in the state's case.

In court Friday, Bobbitt admitted he knew the gas story was false, helped perpetuate it in stories by the news media and signed a written contract for a book deal with McClure and D'Amico in December 2017. He said he also was aware the co-defendants were spending money on vacations, gambling and personal items.

The veteran also admitted he spent $25,000 of the donated money on drugs and spent other money to buy two trucks. McClure also bought him a trailer in her name and in which he lived in at her Florence property until he left again for Philadelphia and she sold it.

McClure also pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court, admitting to wire fraud, a higher-degree federal offense than money laundering. She entered the plea in a separate hearing following Bobbitt's plea before U.S. District Court Judge Jerome Simandle in Camden.

Garrenger ordered Bobbitt held until his sentencing next month because of his history o failing to appear for court hearings.

However, the judge said he would move up sentencing from April 12 if a pre-sentencing report was ready earlier.

"The sooner you are sentenced the sooner you can receive treatment," Garrenger told the defendant.

If Bobbitt fails to adhere to drug treatment conditions, the judge said he can sentence him to state prison for up to five years.